The 2021 Rural Policy Summit was a virtual series that brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including policymakers, nonprofit leaders, academic researchers, industry professionals, and others interested in rural conditions and trends, to learn about and discuss major policy issues that will affect rural Pennsylvania over the next five to 10 years.

This session was a roundtable discussion on how nonprofit organizations and foundations have supported rural regions in adapting to and engaging in economic transitions. Leaders and experts representing nonprofit organizations will offer insights, practical advice, lessons learned, and best practices to other communities or organizations that may be looking to implement similar programs and services and that can help inform policy.

Opening remarks:

  • Rick Vilello, Deputy Secretary for Community Affairs and Development, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development

Summit panelists:

  • Jen Giovannitti, President, Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation
  • Ta Enos, Founder and CEO, PA Wilds Center for Entrepreneurship
  • David Kahley, President and CEO, The Progress Fund
  • Rachel Hauser, Director of Regulatory Affairs & Economic Development, Tri-County Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Closing remarks:

  • Theresa Y. Singleton, Senior Vice President and Community Affairs Officer, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia

This session was moderated by Nathaniel Borek, outreach and administrative associate, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia sent the first 100 registrants to this session a complimentary copy of the book, Investing in Rural Prosperity. The book is a joint publication of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors and the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and details a framework for advancing shared economic prosperity in rural communities across the U.S.

The series was cohosted by the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health, Pennsylvania Rural Development Council, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, Pennsylvania Downtown Center, and Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank’s Community Development and Regional Outreach Department.